Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/4/2007

Question
My chihuahua has been suffering from puppy strangles-this is his 2nd week.  I was advised that he was not able to take the pretizone due to a heart mur-mur..which I found out by my old vet that is not the case and that it is a value going to his heart affected by this disease..How long does it normally take to get rid of?  Will they have permament scaring from it?  Will they suffer down the road because of this disease?

Answer
Puppy strangles is a severe bacterial infection, so he needs to be on very high levels of antibiotics.  If the dog has a heart problem and is building up fluid in the lungs, then steroids may not be indicated.  THere is a drug called cyclosporine that may be helpful.  Ask your vet. Once puppy strangles is over, they rarely have permanent problems.